Monday, December 28, 2009

Never underestimate the grocer...

So... lots of holiday parties and lots of tablescapes to be made. Over Thanksgiving I was in charge of the brussel sprouts and the table decor.  When I went to buy the brussel sprouts at our local farm coop I saw gorgeous artichokes, persimmons, and dillweed and got super excited about using them on the table!   Here at p&p we just wanted to say never underestimate your local grocery store's produce section.  







photos from:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0i4O6n_TMI/RkHII0swOsI/AAAAAAAAAA0/9DYLFFFhVpg/s400/persimmons.jpg
http://www.delallo.com/files/images/purple-artichokes.jpg
http://www.greathomeremedies.com/herbs/images/dill.jpg

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Favorite Things....

So, in our blog post about making rose water it may have become apparent that aside from flowers I am also passionate about products. Lately I have been making lots of my own stuff (hence the rosewater extravaganza). This summer we had heaps of fun making face masks using seaweed and rosehips from around the cabin in Maine... when those recipes are a little more refined I'll post them for all of you! Until then I thought I'd share a few of my favorite beauty finds... Hope you dig them and that they keep you beautiful all winter long!



Rose hip oil is magical. Use it for everything... seriously.



Hei Poa Shampooing Baume is so wonderful. It smells like the best kind of beachy you can imagine. Absolutely gorgeous!


Another super fab find is this 'cheek gloss' from Rosie Jane. I love the rose color! It makes for a perfect 'just in from a snowball fight' ruddy glow. The sweet packaging doesn't hurt...


And my new fave... I've just started using this facial 'serum' from Onurth and I'm lovin it. I use it instead of a moisturizer. Perfect for the cold NYC winters.

Enjoy!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Urban meets nature

Last night we were fortunate enough to meet with the fabulous miss Jessica to discuss her wedding florals. Wow she is one stylish and classy lady! Jessica is a costume designer and her fiance is a trumpet player on Broadway. I know, careers don't get much cooler.

Their wedding is inspired by the urban landscape of New York City focusing on the quiet moments when nature and city meet. For her floral design she wants to incorporate this concept by using modern, concrete containers for a bed of wheat grass. Tulips will be sprouting from each bed of wheat grass as if you were in Central Park on a Spring day.

(tulips are her favorite)
Hence why she chose this stunning Matthew Christopher tulip inspired gown.



Looking forward to designing this proposal!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Awesome Exhibit!



I loved it so much I've been twice! The Cooper Hewitt had ten designers use sustainable resources from around the world to design fab products and furniture. I loved Isaac Mizrahi's salmon skin sequins dress and shoes! Also, the 'ivory' jewelry made from nuts is extremely wearable. Check it out at http://www.cooperhewitt.org/EXHIBITIONS/Design-for-a-Living-World/ and at the Cooper Hewitt (90th and 5th ave NYC) until January 4th!

Regina & Emil get hitched!

The past few days here at poppies & posies has been really fun and exciting. Project We Do was last night and it is official Regina and Emil got hitched! We we're asked to do the personal flowers and the florals for the chuppah.

We so enjoyed being a part of this project to help this couple get married!

The bride put all of her trust in us to create her dream florals. The only thing she asked is that we stick to a light pink and white color pallet. We set out with the goal in mind of making the flowers very romantic. We chose these gorgeous pale pink tetra anemones with a black center, pink ranunculus, sweet pea with a salmon hue, Delicious smelling pink peppercorn, seeded eucalyptus, and jasmine vine. The bride got a special bouquet that included
stunning fresh peonies.


Maybe one of our favorite parts was hand making the flower girl basket to match the birch chuppah. To make it we took a piece of birch bark and wrapped it around a tin vase. We braided twine to make the handle and as a finishing touch we strung jasmine vine around the top of the basket to give it a little color.
The boutonnieres were design using pink garden roses, seeded eucalyptus, and pink peppercorns. The groom's boutonniere had a little jasmine vine in it to give it a little extra oomph. And finally, they were tied with raffia wire.


Mazel Tov!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

modern is lovely.

When we heard we were recommended by one of our favs, Erin of Porter Novelli, we knew it would be a fun project! They were in need of modern, white floral arrangements for a Mountain Dew Event for their latest campaign DEWmocracy.
We pretty much had total creative freedom and we really had fun with it!



We used Tetra Anemones, Ranunculus, Fiddle Heads,
Seeded Eucalyptus, and a few other little elements

Monday, December 14, 2009

engaged!

We have a really fun week ahead of us, so I wanted to make
sure we start it off right with this incredibly sweet and fun engagement shoot!

When we met Sara and Andy for the first time last February, we knew right away we wanted to work with them. Not only are they one of the cutest couples ever, but they're two of the sweetest and most talented people around. The planning and design process has been a true collaboration between all of us, which we love!

Check out their Save the Date announcement that was designed and created by the couple!


When the extremely talented Jim Altieri took their engagement photos he really captured the couples loving dynamic. Check out a few of our favorite shots.






Sara and Andy are getting married this May at the Henry Bendel Mansion in Stamford, CT. Were arranging all of their centerpieces in vintage found containers such as tins, milk jars, and crates. Sgt Lefferts Lonely Hearts Club Band will be playing all of their favorite Beatles tunes and guests can take a break from the party to enjoy the planetarium show with truffled popcorn! If anyone needs some late night nosh, we're rolling out a "Make Your Own English Muffin Pizza Bar" (groom's request).

We're so so fortunate to be working with such creative and amazing people!

Friday, December 11, 2009

design is everywhere.


Living in New York City is so fabulous because at any moment on any given day there are hundreds of amazing exhibits, shows, and events to check out. Finding inspiration is not hard in a place like the Big Apple. All you have to do is open your eyes. The "Dress Codes" exhibit at the International Center of Photography has been on my radar for quite some time now.


Marth Rosler


Janaina Tschape & Lorna Simpson

The Dress Codes Exhibit runs until January 17th and is described online as....The theme of fashion encompasses a diverse range of practices and ideas, including explorations of identity and affiliation; the production, distribution, and consumption of images and goods; contemporaneity; age; gender; and global industry. The themes of the Triennial express the exuberance, wit, and astute social observation taking place within contemporary image-making. These artists variously explore fashion—whether in everyday dress, haute couture, street fashion, or uniforms—as a celebration of individuality, personal identity, and self-expression, and as cultural, religious, social, and political statements.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

sneak peek

we are both absolutely in love with these flowers and colors. they are going to make our job so easy and fun next week for "project we do"!

all of these images are from gpage (one of the best wholesalers in nyc).
dogwood, ranunculus, anemones, & sweet pea

more photos to come next week from the wedding...



so sweet.

nora is one of the most talented jewelry designers
I have come across in a long while.
her "sexy brooklyn store" St. Kilda Jewelry
located in Park Slope is inspiration enough,
but her jewelry will make your heart melt. yes, please!


the sweetest is her "loved ring" & "eternity ring"

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

a few of my favorite things...

One of my favorite things to do lately is to look at photography, florals, crafts, and the work of other like minded companies. I love to see all of the great ideas, talent, and draw inspiration from their work. It truly makes me a bit giddy.
Here are a few of my favorite things....

Dolci Odille's "Smile Booths" look so much fun I want a permanent installation for me and my friends to play with every Saturday night before we go out!


Based out of Atlanta is Amy Osaba event floral design and her blog always makes me want to try new color pallets and broaden my horizons. Her floral designs are not only unique, but they're extremely gorgeous!


Lastly, one of my favorite places on the world wide web to check out daily is Kelty's Steep Street blog. We're lucky enough to be working with her on our new website, but she is also a very talented photographer and custom/print artist.



Monday, November 16, 2009

Today's Fab Flowers!



We did this arrangement for a fabulous client today and are in love with the colors and textures. Hope you are too!

Friday, November 13, 2009

'Ivy' League: Rosewater

We are starting a little thing on our blog called 'Ivy' League, where we'll teach you new and fabulous things. Today's subject is on how to make your own rosewater!
So... on a recent visit to my mum's farm I decided to make rosewater. You know I work with flowers all the time but have recently been excited to turn them into things other than arrangements and bouquets! Rosewater is one of my favorite things in my skin care regime... its wonderful as a light toner and skin refresher. I put it in a spray bottle and spray my face before moisturizing and if I need a little pick me up.
That being said, here's how to make it!

First I went out to our rose bushes and pulled lots of petals off the flowers. Any rose petals will do but try to get them from an organic grower or your own garden because you definitely don't want pesticides in your rosewater.


Aren't the colors gorge?
Next I built a bit of a 'home still' by putting a brick in the center of an enormous pot. (I like this huge lobster pot) Then I surrounded the brick w/ the petals and covered them with water.


On top of the brick I put a large pyrex bowl so it is sort of floating in the center of the pot above the rose petals.



The next step is to flip the lid of the post over and put it on. This way it's sort of and when the condensation from the steam (we're about to turn the stove on under the pot) collects it rolls to the center of the overturned lid and drips into the pyrex bowl. Now we're distillin!


When you've flipped the lid over put ice in the center(although I learned this the hard way... putting the ice in a bag or second pyrex bowl may be useful so as it melts you can dump the water without having to remove the lid and precariously carry it to the sink...oy!).



Now go ahead and turn the stove on... bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a gentle simmer. The rose infused steam will hit the cooled lid and start dripping into the inner bowl and voila rosewater! You want to check on it every so often, being SUPER careful not to burn yourself w/ the steam, and empty the bowl into a glass container to cool. Just keep doing this and you'll get lots of lovely fresh rosewater. I'd also suggest having heaps of ice on hand as it melts v. quickly. Just keep replacing it to maintain a chilled lid!



When we'd finished my sister and I decided to use the rosie steam for a little at home facial!
Tres Bien!!!

From my ginormous pot of petals I got a pretty large bottle of rosewater. I've ordered very cute blue glass spray bottles from http://www.specialtybottle.com/
to put all the lovely water in. I'm in the process of making fab labels so I can give all of my girlfriends fancy homemade rosewater 'toner' for the holidays! I hope that you all find this project fun and enjoy your beautiful radiant skin!
Bonne journée!!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Thistle & Moss



I love this arrangement we made for a benefit using echinops and sheet moss.
The thistle gives it a little punk rocker edginess while the organic aesthetic and softness of the moss lends it a very romantic feel. J'adore!




Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fall is in the air...

Most people don't associate autumn with beautiful flowers but some of my favorite things to work with are at their best in the fall! Recently we did a few arrangements for a celeb (cue: ooo ahhh) needless to say we were very stoked when they said do whatever you'd like just make it beautiful! We got so excited about the acorns at the market and knew we had to use them.


We've incorporated the acorn branches in with some less.than.ripe blackberries, lotus pods and dahlias. Tres bien if I do say so myself! I think this would make a wonderful centerpiece for a not so traditional fall wedding. The palette is warm and autumnal but still super fresh. I get excited just thinking about the bridal bouquet that I would do for this wedding!